A truck crash on the M65 near King Shaka International Airport in KwaZulu-Natal took an unexpected turn on Monday after an undocumented truck driver was arrested for allegedly fleeing the scene and attempting to conceal his identity.
According to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), its Operations Centre received multiple calls for assistance at approximately 11:33 on Monday, 13 July 2026. Reaction Officers were immediately dispatched to the crash scene in La Mercy.
When officers arrived, they found a white Nissan Diesel truck lying on its side after it had allegedly failed to negotiate a sharp bend on the M65.
RUSA said a man at the scene identified himself as the truck’s conductor and claimed that the driver had fled before first responders arrived.
However, moments later, the same man allegedly ran into nearby bushes, prompting Reaction Officers and a security officer from a private security company to give chase.
A Zambian truck driver who allegedly caused a major crash on the N3 near Cliffdale on Thursday morning has been arrested after attempting to flee the scene.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, confirmed that while multiple vehicles were involved and one person was critically injured, there were no fatalities.
“We are relieved that no one died from this major accident that disrupted traffic flow and inconvenienced hundreds of motorists. We wish those injured a speedy recovery,” said Duma.He commended the Road Traffic Inspectorate for their swift action in apprehending the driver, who allegedly tried to run away after the accident. “I commend our highly dedicated team from Road Traffic Inspectorate, who apprehended the truck driver. I have also mandated them to work with SAPS to ensure a successful conviction. Importantly, we want to establish whether he had the relevant documents authorising him to drive,” Duma added.
The MEC also linked the incident to the broader challenge of heavy trucks on South African roads, welcoming Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy’s announcement on the completion of the adjudication process for new Train Operating Companies (TOCs).